2012 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman

Exceeding expectations.

Some things are best left alone. Other things work better with just a little help from a friend. Mini's friend, John Cooper, hots up cars that, on the surface at least, have no business being hotted up.

The Clubman was never envisioned as the "sports car" in Mini's lineup. With a third door and split rear hatch, it's more in line with a traditional shooting brake than a sports coupe. And yet with a 208-bhp turbocharged direct-injected inline-4 and quick-shifting 6-speed transmission, the little-big Clubman changes perceptions. Thanks to 207 lb.-ft. of torque while in overboost (normally 192 lb.-ft.), it changes that view in a hurry.

Compared to its length-challenged counterpart, the Clubman's longer wheelbase adds a noticeable amount of stability, especially on choppier pavement, but still retains a playful front-end feel. Dual exhaust tips burble and pop during deceleration, making heel-toe downshifts a full sensory experience. Get on the 4-piston Brembos hard while trail-braking into a corner, and the back end comes around predictably and controllably.

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On-throttle, an electronic limited-slip differential uses brake application to control wheelspin; it's helpful when driving hard out of tight turns. While we'd prefer a mechanical or clutch-type diff, this is about as good as an electronic system will get.

Pricing is a bit steep (base price, $31,300, while our tester rang out at $35,350), but you're definitely getting more than just plain ol' badge engineering. It's an enthusiasts' take on an already enthusiast-friendly car, one that will bring a smile to your face.